NordenBladet — The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to increase for the fifth week in a row. The total number of new cases reported between 19 and 25 July was 2,895. The number is almost 30 per cent higher than the week before. Out of the administered 116,600 COVID-19 tests, the share of positive samples was 2.5 per cent.

The 14-day incidence rates have increased in 19 hospital districts, that is almost throughout the whole country. For the last two-week period, the incidence of new cases is now 93 per hundred thousand inhabitants, The estimated effective basic reproduction number has stayed the same as the week before, i.e. 1.05–1.25, with a 90 per cent probability, which reflects the continued growth of the epidemic. The share of infections from abroad is around 8 per cent.

The epidemic is still spreading among young adults. Between 19 and 25 July, over half of infections were reported among people aged 10–29 and predominantly among those between 18–21 years of age. Last week, 5,952 people were placed in quarantine. This is almost the same number as the week before.In the summer, the transmission chains have become wider. Tracing is more difficult and there are some backlogs. However, in 67 per cent of the cases, infections have been traced successfully. People have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus at different kinds of leisure time events, in restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses, and in outdoor parties and public events.  Based on legislation, persons exposed to coronavirus must assist authorities in the tracing of transmission chains and follow the given instructions so that the transmission chains can be broken without delay. At the moment, it is very important that, in their behaviour, young people and people of working age also take into account the risk of contracting the infection in order to avoid lockdown measures.

Slight increase in need for hospital care
In Finland, around 65 per cent of the population have received at least their first vaccine dose and 32 per cent of the population have full vaccination coverage, i.e. they have received the second vaccine dose. Due to COVID-19 vaccine, the need for hospital care does no longer follow the development of the pandemic. The good vaccination coverage of the risk groups plays an important role here. In the oldest age groups, the incidence of COVID-19 and deaths related to the disease are at a very low level. Based on the information provided by the hospital districts, a total of 57 people were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease on 28 July 2021. Of them, 3 were inpatients in primary healthcare, 48 inpatients in specialised healthcare and 6 inpatients in intensive care. Among those in need of hospital care in Finland, the number of young adults and non-vaccinated patients is notable. During the epidemic, a total of 982 deaths related to the disease have been reported by 28 July 2021. The epidemiological situation is monitored weekly. A report on the epidemic is published on Thursdays at 10.00.The monitoring report on the epidemic published today and the previous reports are available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted EUR 17 million to international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) for 2021–2024. The support was granted to five organisations for their work on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs) worldwide, and especially in Afghanistan, and for strengthening tax transparency in sub-Saharan Africa.

The funding has a significant role in promoting the goals of Finland’s development cooperation. Support to INGOs is one of the ways to contribute to effective and efficient development cooperation. In this call for proposals for discretionary government grants, EUR 15 million was allocated for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights and EUR 2 million for strengthening tax justice.Funding allocated to tax justice is part of the implementation of the Government’s Taxation for Development Action Programme.

“A reliable and efficient tax system that is considered just is an essential element of well-functioning societies. Through this funding, we support civil societies’ capacity to call on governments to collect tax revenue and use them for providing public services,” Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari says.

Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights is one of the key goals in Finland’s development cooperation. The coronavirus pandemic has weakened the availability of SRHR services globally.

“The funding will support women’s and girls’ opportunities to access these vitally important services. Through this support we contribute to advancing the lives of women and girls with disabilities, women and girls belonging to minorities and those suffering from humanitarian crises,” Skinnari says.

Discretionary government funding has been granted to the following organisations:International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), EUR 3.5 million in 2021–2022. IPPF is an international federation of family planning associations. Its 118 Member Associations (including Family Federation of Finland) offer information about sexual and reproductive health and rights and related training and services. In addition, the federation is one of the most important actors in international forums in advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Ipas, EUR 3.5 million in 2021–2022. Ipas is one of the few international SRHR actors that concentrates mainly on safe abortion and improved access to modern contraception. Among other areas of work, the organisation focuses on African countries where the availability of abortion care is limited.

MSI Reproductive Choices, EUR 8 million in 2021–2024. MSI (originally Marie Stopes International) is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes sexual and reproductive health in 37 countries. Marie Stopes Afghanistan is the longest-serving independent SRHR actor in the country, aiming to reduce maternal and child mortality.

Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), EUR 1.2 million in 2021–2022. NRGI is an international non-profit organisation focusing on the transparency of the extractive industries in countries rich in oil, gas and minerals. NRGI aims to ensure accountability in the sector and sustainable benefits for citizens. Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO), EUR 800,000 in 2021–2022. SOMO is a non-profit centre for research on multinational corporations. The organisation investigates the impacts of said corporations’ business activities on people and the environment. It works in close cooperation with African non-governmental organisations in promoting tax justice.

NordenBladet — Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today in Chengdu, Southwest China, and held discussions with him on bilateral issues, EU-China relations and some key international questions.

Bilateral issues between Finland and China included international mobility and air and freight transport, as well as cooperation between the two countries in winter sports as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February 2022.

Haavisto invited China to join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and the Arctic Council Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane.

Sustainable development and climate issues also featured prominently in the discussion on cooperation between the EU and China.

Haavisto emphasised the necessity of China’s contribution to joint climate efforts.

There are high expectations for the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), which China will host in Kunming this autumn, and the event could end up being a key step in the implementation of China’s climate promises.

During the discussion, Foreign Minister Haavisto also raised topical questions related to cybersecurity.

NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit China on 24–25 July. Meeting will take place in the capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu.

In Chengdu, Foreign Minister Haavisto will meet the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss key bilateral issues, the EU-China relations and topical international questions.

During the visit, the purpose is to agree on a mid-term review of the Joint Action Plan on bilateral partnership between China and Finland, promote the operating conditions for Finnish companies in China, have an exchange of views on China’s human rights situation and discuss the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.